Cataracts: The basics

Cataracts is one of the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment in the world.¹

The condition occurs when the natural lens of the eye (which is normally clear) becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. This can lead to a progressive loss of vision in one or both eyes.

We take a look at cataracts, including ways to treat and even prevent the condition.

While still not completely understood, cataracts are caused by a build-up of protein in the lens of the eye, typically due to the natural degenerative effects of ageing.

Cataracts occurs in around half of people over the age of 50, and almost everyone will develop the condition by age 80.²

While age is the key risk factor for developing cataracts, other things can contribute to the condition. These include:

• certain health conditions, such as diabetes
• smoking
• consuming too much alcohol
• having a family history of cataracts
• eye injuries or eye surgery
• radiation treatment to the upper body
• excessive exposure to the sun
• steroid use (such as those used to treat arthritis).³

Cataracts usually develop gradually, so it may take some time before you notice any symptoms.

However, as symptoms worsen, you should be mindful of the following:

• blurry or cloudy vision
• increased sensitivity to light
• decreased night vision
• seeing halos around lights
• colours appearing faded
• double vision
• frequent prescription changes in glasses or contact lenses.³

While cataracts might simply be an unavoidable sign that you’re getting older, there are things you can do to help protect your eyes and reduce your risk of developing the condition earlier in life:

• Protect your eyes from UV radiation. Ultraviolet light can speed up the development of cataracts.⁴ Protect your eyes by using sunglasses that 100% block out UVA and UVB rays
• Quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes is linked to early vision loss and cataracts.⁵ So quitting today can reduce your risk factor
• Eat a healthy diet. Consuming things such as vegetables, fruits and foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3s may protect against cataracts⁶
• Manage health conditions. Health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing cataracts and other serious eye issues
• Get regular eye exams. To help detect cataracts early, optometrists recommend having an eye exam every 2 years as you age (and more frequently if you’re over 60 or have a progressive eye disorder)
• Limit your alcohol consumption. The risk of developing cataracts may go up with increased heavy alcohol consumption⁷
• Keep physically active. According to one research review, increased physical activity can make you less likely to develop age-related cataracts.⁸

In mild cases of cataracts, lighting adjustments and glasses or contact lenses may help correct some of the vision changes. However, in more severe cases, surgery might be required.

Fortunately, cataracts surgery has advanced over the years and is minimally invasive. It’s typically performed in an outpatient setting under local anaesthesia, with no stitches required.

There are 2 main types of cataract surgery:

• small incision cataracts surgery. A small incision is made to the outer corner of the eye to remove the affected cloudy lens and replace it with a new artificial lens
• extracapsular surgery. This type of cataract surgery is less common. A larger incision is made in the eye to remove the cloudy lens in one piece, before a new artificial one is inserted.⁹

A more modern computer laser-assisted ‘femtosecond’ surgery is another less-common surgical option, and may be worth discussing with your doctor.¹⁰

Cataracts surgery has a very high success rate in improving vision.¹¹ Meaning, living with the condition doesn’t have to mean permanent impairment.